The Twenty-Third Annual Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race

About the event

Welcome to the 23rd Annual Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race. Called 'The Mount Everest of ultramarathons' by The New York Times, this is the longest certified footrace in the world. It attracts athletes from around the world who want to test themselves against this daunting distance, transcend their own previous capacity, and participate in a great adventure. Along the way, they may also set new world records and gain spiritual insights.

Athletes are able to test themselves in a format unlike any other ultra-marathon event. In order to meet their goal of 3100 miles in 52 days, they must log an average of 59.6 miles per day. The runners begin at 6 a.m. and run for extended periods throughout the day, taking breaks as needed. If they want to, they can continue as late as 12 midnight when the course closes for the night. View 2018 runner list »

Race webcams

Race photos

Latest updates

Day 52: The End of the Road

The runners fought through a sunny, humid day that turned into a few thunderstorms in the evening, but three stalwarts made it to their destiny with a 3100 mile finish. The Austrian Champion Surasa Mairer finished in fourth place overall in 51 days,12 hours, her fourth finish in the longest race. Sopan Tsekov finished his third 3100 mile race after five dnf's in 12 years, reaching that brass ring in 51 days, 16 hours. Kaneenika Janakova finished in sixth place overall, second lady in 51 days 17 hours, only 20 minutes behind Sopan. It was her third straight finish, and one of the most difficult for her.

Thanks for following the race this year, friends. May the wind always be at your back!

Perfection Journey

Find out more...

Books

Sport and Meditation by Sri Chinmoy, founder of the 3100 Mile Race and a pioneer in the application of meditation to sports (and running in particular). This book is a distillation of 30 years of talks, answers, tips and instructions on unlocking your untapped inner strength and bringing it into your fitness endeavours. Includes a special section where Sri Chinmoy is answering questions from 3100 Mile Race participants. More on sportandmeditation.com »

Running Beyond The Marathon by Grahak Cunningham. A four-time finisher and winner in 2012, Grahak was first encouraged to try this race in 2007 by Sri Chinmoy, despite never having run more than 50 miles before. This book is a very interesting chronicle of the inner and outer experiences a multi-day runner goes through. More »

Run. Journey. Become. By Stutisheel Lebedev. Stutisheel first ran this epic race in 2004; this book contains stories and insights on inner attitude, nutrition and training gained from his nine-race finishes. More »

Running in rhythm with the heart by Jayasalini Olga Abramovskikh - In 2014 Jayasalini became the first Russian woman to complete the race. In the book, she describes how she came to dream of doing the race, her training and preparation, and her experiences during and after the race. More »

Videos, photos and stories

3100: Run and Become - a new documentary

For the past 3 years, filmmaker Sanjay Rawal has been documenting the significance of running in cultures across the globe, including the 3100 Mile Race. View:iTunes • Amazon • Google Play

Spirit of a Runner - a documentary

From filmmaker Jessie Beers-Altman, this 28-minute film follows 13-time finisher Suprabha Beckjord as she aims to complete the 2008 edition of the race. View video...

History

Sahishnu Szczesiul, Associate Race Director and also our race statistician and historian, has published two remarkable accounts in PDF form - the very first 3100-mile race in 1997, as well as its immediate predecessor, the first and only 2700 mile race in 1996.

Race Basics

The race takes place annually over a 52-day period beginning on the third Sunday in June and ending in early August. Runners traverse a .5478 mile loop around a sports field, playground, and high school in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. The course is flat, and the well-staffed aid station is always within easy reach.

Conceived of as both a physical and spiritual journey, the race allows athletes to test themselves in a format, unlike any other ultra-marathon. In order to meet their goal of 3100 miles in 52 days, they must log an average of 59.6 miles per day.

Runners begin at 6 a.m. and run for extended periods throughout the day, taking breaks as needed. If they want to, they can continue as late as 12 midnight when the course closes for the night. The base camp is well-lit, and during evening hours a Team member travels the loop on a bicycle, helping to ensure runners' safety.

Abundant vegetarian meals and snacks are prepared throughout the day and served at the counting station. Each runner is provided with space in a camper for rest breaks. The Marathon Team's legendary attention to detail means that each runner has the amenities he or she needs, including a clean, safe environment and plenty of liquids to stay hydrated. Our experienced Team are veterans of many races, and always happy to offer advice and encouragement.

Runners are strongly encouraged to provide their own individual helpers, who are attuned to their individual needs and provide further support.

The Spiritual Dimension

The Self-Transcendence 3100-Mile Race was conceived by Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007), a spiritual teacher, athlete, artist, musician, poet, and humanitarian. His emphasis on self-transcendence and the triumph of the human spirit provides the inspiration which has powered the race since its inception.

Interviewed by Sports Illustrated in 1990, legendary ultrarunner Yiannis Kouros said: "Without Sri Chinmoy, we would have few races and little future. He has been the sport's lifeline."

The self-transcendence aspect is particularly important in ultrarunning. In our experience as runners, there comes a point in a race when one's physical prowess has reached its limit. To continue on, the runner must rely on his or her own inner determination, to tap into the infinite spiritual power that is within us all, which Sri Chinmoy calls the soul, the representative of the ultimate Divine Being.

For those runners who are Sri Chinmoy's students, the 3100-Mile Race represents an affirmation of his teachings on self-transcendence, an opportunity to manifest the hidden potential of the soul in a practical and dynamic way.

Entering the Race

Sri Chinmoy Races holds events as short as two miles which anyone can enter. For this ultra event enrollment is limited. Out of numerous applicants, each year 10 to 15 stellar men and women are chosen based on their prior achievements in the ultrarunning community, ability to complete the distance, and other factors.

Due to the race history and spiritual dimension, most participants have been members of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. However, each year race organizers are pleased to select one or two non-Team participants. No particular beliefs are required to apply for the race, but applicants should feel comfortable blending into a spiritual environment where most of their fellow runners and crew will be spiritual seekers.

While a race is by definition a form of competition, the self-transcendence aspect means that runners should feel they are competing with themselves, to run the best race they can, while relating to fellow runners in a spirit of camaraderie and good decorum.

It's our hope that for all the runners, the 3100-Mile Race will be both a physical and spiritual journey - a joyful and enlightening experience. After the hero's journey comes the supreme knowledge that one has accomplished the unimaginable.

Send a message to the runners!

During their 52-day quest, the runners really appreciate all the messages of support they get from around the world! Please feel free to send along any inspiration, good news or humour, and we'll make sure they get to the right person.

Your name *

Runner the message is for (optional!)

Your message *

Your email (optional)

Leave your mail if you'd like us to get in touch. (For example, if we like your comment, we might want to put it on our website - if you leave your mail, we can get in touch with you to ask permission to do so)